NFBE Chapter 153 Birthday Banquet
Chapter 153 Birthday Banquet
Seeing the awkward atmosphere between the siblings, the Duke and his wife quickly tried to smooth things over.
Lady Anguo: "Qinghuai, I remember you still have homework to finish. Why don't you go and finish it first?"
Duke Anguo: "Qinghuai, your sister has just been released from the Ministry of Justice prison. You should comfort her properly."
Yu Qinghuai's eyes flashed with astonishment upon hearing his parents' words.
Does your parents mean that they consider this person to be their "older sister"?
Yu Qinghuai silently met his parents' gazes, his stubbornness revealing his attitude.
Duke Anguo's gaze darkened slightly, and he said, "Listen to your mother, go do your homework first."
Chen Wan's gaze darted between the three, sensing something strange about their relationship.
Yu Qinghuai took a deep breath and agreed.
Whether the sister we've recognized now is the "real sister" or the "fake sister," we shouldn't make too much of a fuss about this.
He still believed that his parents wouldn't be so foolish as to be deceived by an imposter.
The atmosphere in the front hall improved considerably after Yu Qinghuai left.
Both the Duke and Duchess of Anguo wore smiles as they inquired about Chen Wan's situation in prison.
Chen Wan put on a pitiful expression, racking her brains to think of a way to make the Duke and Duchess of Anguo feel more sorry for her.
When the Duke of Anguo and his wife heard about her ordeal in prison, they were indeed deeply distressed.
The Duchess of Anguo embraced her and comforted her.
Chen Wan finally felt at ease.
It seems that the Duke and Duchess of Anguo did not become suspicious or distant towards her because of what happened at the polo match.
However, Chen Wan was too happy too soon.
Just when she thought the Duke and Duchess of Anguo wouldn't mention the polo match, the Duke spoke in a deep voice: "Wan'er, Princess Changning said you tried to murder her. What exactly happened?"
Chen Wan's smile faltered.
Lady Anguo also released her, her eyes also filled with questions.
Chen Wan's eyes reddened slightly, and she choked up, "Don't Father and Mother believe me either?"
“At the time, all the evidence pointed to me, and I had no way to defend myself.” She seemed to have suffered a great injustice. “Princess Changning had already decided that my daughter was the one who harmed her, and everyone was condemning my daughter. What could my daughter do?”
"But if my daughter hasn't done something, then she hasn't done it."
"Why would my daughter, who has just arrived in Shengjing, attack Princess Changning?"
"If even my parents don't believe in their daughter, what's the point of me staying here?"
Her tears fell in large drops to the ground. "My daughter would rather go back to the deep mountains and hunt for a living with her adoptive father!"
Seeing her crying so bitterly, the Duchess of Anguo felt strangely no heartache as she had when they first recognized each other.
Perhaps because there was already some resentment in his heart, seeing her cry now, he could detect a hint of hypocrisy in it.
The Duchess of Anguo suppressed the complex emotions in her eyes, took a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and said softly, "Silly child, how could your father and mother not believe you?"
"Your parents believe everything you say."
Duke Anguo said from the side, "Since this was not your doing, our young lady from the Duke Anguo Mansion should not suffer this injustice for no reason."
"Wan'er, don't worry. Even if it goes all the way to the Emperor, I will definitely seek justice for you!"
Chen Wan's heart skipped a beat.
All she wants now is for this matter to pass quickly, and for no one to mention it again.
If she were to cause trouble in front of the Emperor, wouldn't she be walking right into a trap?
Chen Wan shook her head, choking back tears, "I know you're doing this for my own good, but I've already suffered enough, and I don't want to cause any more trouble."
"The innocent are innocent. As long as my parents believe that I did not do it, I will be satisfied."
The Duke of Anguo and his wife exchanged a glance, both seeing a look of solemnity in each other's eyes.
The daughter they've brought back is probably the one with real problems.
Chen Wan was unaware that the Duke and Duchess of Anguo had become suspicious and were plotting something else in their minds.
She wiped away her tears and asked, "Mother, isn't it the Duchess of Shun's birthday in a few days?"
Lady Anguo was taken aback, somewhat puzzled as to why she suddenly asked about this. "Yes, why are you asking about this?"
Chen Wan asked shyly, "Mother, can I go with you to the birthday banquet of the Duchess of Shun?"
Lady Anguo hesitated for a moment.
After the polo match incident, normally our daughter should stay at home and avoid going out as much as possible.
Wait until the rumors outside subside.
But why is she in such a hurry to go out and attend the banquet?
Lady Anguo thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "If you want to go, I will take you. However, I'm afraid some people will mention the polo match, and Wan'er might feel bad if she hears it."
Chen Wan shook her head generously, "People can say whatever they want, and it's none of my daughter's business. The innocent will clear themselves, and I'm not afraid of these rumors."
The crowds of people watching the spectacle in Shengjing came in waves. Once there was something new to see, who would remember the polo match?
……
Yu Wan spent a few days living a monotonous life, going back and forth between two points.
During the day, Princess Changning took her to the princess's residence to teach her riding skills, and in the evening, Princess Changning sent her back to the Yun residence.
Yun Shang was also engrossed in his studies in the study, and for several days in a row, the two of them barely exchanged a few words.
That day, Yu Wan received an invitation from the Duchess of Shunguo.
Lady Shunguo invited her and Yunshang to attend her birthday banquet.
On the fifth day of the ninth lunar month, the Duke of Shunguo held his birthday banquet.
Early in the morning, a banquet was set up outside the Duke of Shun's mansion, and all the common people who came to join in the fun could eat.
Lady Shunguo had once been kind to Emperor Wenjing, and this pomp and circumstance was a special gift from him, making it unique among the noble ladies of Shengjing.
Because of this relationship, almost half of the high-ranking officials and nobles of Shengjing attended the birthday banquet of the Duchess of Shunguo.
Before Chen Shi (7-9 AM) had passed, the area in front of the Duke of Shun's mansion was already full of carriages.
When Yu Wan arrived, the carriage could only stop in an alleyway across the street from the Duke of Shun's residence, so she and Yun Shang had to walk there.
Today, Yun Shang wore a brocade robe with gold embroidery and dark patterns, and a jade crown on his head. He had an extraordinary demeanor and looked more like a carefully cultivated scion of a noble family.
Yu Wan wore a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a light gauze outer garment, and her hair was styled in a simple bun. She also wore two jade hairpins on her head, the same material as the jade crown on Yun Shang's head.
Her eyes were bright and lively, and dressed like that, she looked like a fairy who had come down from heaven.
She is so pleasing to the eye that one can't help but want to get closer to her.
The two walked side by side, attracting frequent glances from passersby.
Yun Shang's gaze seemed to be fixed on the road ahead, but in reality, he kept an eye on Yu Wan beside him out of the corner of his eye.
Seemingly without anyone noticing, Yu Wan's temperament became increasingly refined and otherworldly. After the restless ferocity in her eyes disappeared, her aura became more gentle, instantly making people feel good about her.
Perhaps that's why the Duchess of Shunguo and Princess Changning liked her so much.
Yu Wan had gotten used to the stares around her and looked back at them with a gentle smile on her face.
Unexpectedly, she suddenly met a gloomy gaze.